Apparatus for removing cores from cast-iron pipes and the like



June 17, 1930. J. R. MCWANE 1,765,022

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING CORES FROM CAST IRC-)N PIPES AND THE LIKE FilegJuljy 2, 1928 2 sheets-sheet 1 D 'N v f E n@ I ATORNEYS m n 5 l B June 17,193o. RM'CWANE 41,765,022

APPARATUS' Fok REMovING coREs FROM CAST IRO'N PIPEs AND THE LIKE @fmfmforr/wwom ATTORNEYS Patented June 17, 1930 res VNarni) ST JAMES R. MCWANE, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR TO MCWANE CAST IRON l PIPE COMEANY, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, A. CORPORATION OF ALABAMA APPARATUS FOR REMOVIN CORES FROM CAST-IRON PIPES ANI) THE LIKE Application filed July 2, 1928. Serial No. 289,802.

This invention relates to apparatus for removing cores from cast iron pipes and, among other objects, yaims to provide improved mechanical means having provision i for separating cores from pipes by gravity withoutl employing crane equipment or special core pullersand without creating objectionable dust in the plant. The apparatus is v especially useful in plants of large capacity n; such as the one described and claimedvin m co-pending application, Serial No. 220,731, filed Sept. 20, 1927 4In the accompanying drawings showing one embodiment of the invention:

Fig. l is a side elevation, partlyin section, of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, also partly in section, of the apparatus shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a right end view of Fig. 2, a part being omitted; f v

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sec' tional view' on an enlarged scale, through the right end ofthe platform shown in Fig.

l, parts being omitted; r Y

Fig. 6 is` avdiagrammaticjleft end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. l, the inclinations of the runway being'exaggerated; and CJ Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig.- 1. i j' In the manufacture of rcast ironpipe'horizontally, the usual practice'is to yuse a green sand mold and a green sand core. After the pipe has sufiiciently cooled, it is Vremoved from the4 flask with its core,.and ata convenient timethe core bar is shaken out of the pipe. f This has been donefby elevating one end of the pipe and rapping it to break the adhesion of the core sand so that the core bar andjsand will fall'out'by gravity, thus stripping the pipe frompthe bal'. The cores of short, light pipesnare generally removed by hand; but to remove the coresv from long i5 heavy pipes, it is. necessary topick up the .pipesmechanically by'means of a crane or otherlifting mechanism, elevating them at an angle, rap the pipes, as inthe handr process, until the sand has run rout,"and then Strip the pipes off the core bars.

The foregoing methods are objectionable for various reasons, one of which is the large volume of ydust arising from the falling dry sand. This dust is not only disagreeable to the crane operator but damages the bearings of the crane and other machinery in the plant, and spreads over everything within a large area, creating undesirable working conditions, particularly in hot weather. lAnother objection is the diiiculty of elevating the pipe to the proper angle and then stripping it oif the bar. There must be a rest -for the core (usually a trestle or horse) after the pipe is stripped from it, butfthis rest interferes with the forward movement of the pipe in the process of stripping it.y

The present invention provides novel'means to separate the cores fromrthe pipes very economically withoutraising objectionable dust and without employing an overhead vcrane and effecting a Vsavingof labor. lIt contemplates the provision of novel means to control the falling movement of the cores to prevent injury to the core bars and the apj paratus. Further it provides meansf to reE .cover the'core sand and dump it automatically where it can be conveyed to sand reconditioning apparatus.r Also, the ar-' rangement is such as to enable pipes and cores both before and yafter separation to be handled expeditiously in successive groups of any desired number; thus the invention may be used to excellent advantage in the plant described in the aforesaid application.

kThe selected embodiment of the invention includes a power-operated, tiltable table or platform 10 pivoted or hinged to rock seesaw fashion and adapted to lsupport a group of 'pipes lion one side of its axis as shown in Fig. l, so that when it is tilted vwith its other end projecting into a pit 12,"the core bars 13 andcore sand will falloutby gravity. Provision is made to prevent the-pipes from sliding Adownthe platform vwhen tilted, and to permit the core bars to Vfall out and rest on the pit end of the platform so that, when4 ytheplatform is restored to its normalv lor approximately horizontal'position, vthe pipes andcore bars may berolled Oli toundergo Subsequent operations,

The platform is shown as having a Y rigid underframe consisting of I-beams 1l and channel-shaped cross braces 15 on the top flanges of whichis secured a sheet metal floor 16 (Figs. 2, l and 5). To the lower flanges of the I-beams about midway of their length are secured a pair of hinge members 17 mounted on a shaft 18 which is journaled in bearings 19 on the pillars 2O (Figs. 1). yIhe pillars are arranged adjacent to one end of the pit 12 so that one end of the platform can swing downwardly into it as shown in dotted lines inFig. 1. It will be clear that if the platform is elevated high above the floor of the plant, no pit need be'used. Usually itis more convenient to amount the platform as low as possible and employ a pit, as shown. V Y

The means to support a group of pipes on the end of the platform so that they will not slide down when it is tilted is shown as comprising transverse angle members 21 secured to the plate 16 and each having four notches 22 of suitable size in its vertical flange in which the pipes are adapted to rest (Fig.`7). The notches shown in Fig. 7 are sufficiently wide to receive the core bars While the bell ends` of the pipes being larger than the notches, abut the vertical flange and are restrained thereby. Thus, the sliding or fall.- ing movement of the core bars and sand is not interfered with. The pipes are adapted to be placed properly in their respective seats or notches for example with the aid of an overhead crane rig (not shown) after they are rolled down runway tracks 23 (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) from the casting Zone. These tracks are shown in Fig. 6 as being inclined upwardly to the level of the platform so that the pipes may be rolled upon the platform before they are lifted or otherwise set in the notches. Moreover, the inclined'portions' of the tracks on the opposite side of the platform permit' the separated pipes to be rolled away bygravity, thus reducing the manual labor required. 1 As shown in Fig. 2, the track over which the bell ends of the pipes roll has-a gap in which the platform works, while the end of the platform falls short of the other track.

To tilt the loaded platform to such an angular position that the gravitational component of the core bars will frequentlybe sufficient to break the adhesion of the core sand, there is shown a-fluid pressure, (preferably pneumatic) cylinder 241- hinged at its lower end in the pit 12. and having a piston rod 2,5V pivotallyconnected to a cross brace Y of the platform. The operation of this pis- Y ends of the cylinder (Fi-g. l).

ton may be Controlled manually by means ofvalves (not shown) located at an'easilyV accessible point above the floor level in suitable air' conduits connected to the opposite It is desirable to limit the extent of the tilting movement of the platform. In Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a stop member in the form of an I-beam 26 extending across the pit so that the underframe beams of the platform will strike it. This will liar the pipes on the platform enough to insure breaking` the adhesion of the core sand to all of the pipes; or the pipes may be struck with a hammer if jarring the platform is not effective. Also, there is shown a similar stop or support 27 for the other end of the platform to hold it level while it is being loaded and unloaded, thus relieving 'the pneumatic cylinder of this duty.

i It is desirable to provide bumper or abutment means to break the fall of the core bars after they start down on the platform. To this end, there is shown a movable abutment in the form of a transverse bar 28, coveniently made of a piece'of structural steel secured between standards 29 which are mounted on pairs of spaced rollers 30 on upper and lower tracks 31 in the outside channels of the I- beams, the arrangement being lsuch as to prevent the abutment member from rocking under the weight of the core bars. To each of the pairs of rollers a piston rod 32 from a pneumatic cylinder 33 is connected. These cylinders are shown as being secured to the I- beamsll in their outer channels, by straps 34,

and their action may be controlled by suitable valves (not shown) in the conduits 35, located withinv easy reach of the operator. Thus by permitting compressed air to escape from the cylinders the operator may control the falling-movement of thek core bars and thereby prevent them from striking the bottom with .such force as to damage some part or fall off the platform into the pit. The length of the piston rods is such as to prevent the abutment 28 from traveling beyond the end of the platform, but obviously, stops may be used-for this purpose. After the stripped core bars are removed lfromthe platform, the operator will again admit compressed air into the cylinders and retract the abutment so that it is ready for the next operation.

'lo prevent core sand fromaccumulating in the pit. and to recover it for further use in re-sanding Vthe core bars, there isshownfa scoop-like sand box 36 (Figs. 1 and 5) pivoted below its bottom and forwardly of its center of gravity to brackets 37 secured to the lower flanges of YtheI-beams at their'ends'. The arrangement is such that the rear end of thebox normally rests against a U-shaped strap 38, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, so that the sand wllbe vdischarged intoit from the platform `floor. .plate 16 which is i the sand is falling into the box, most of the sandstrikes the baflie and is deflected into the box (F ig. l) but when the box is dumping (Fig. the baiiie offers no obstruction to free flow of the sand. v j

To provide for dumping the sand boxautomatically whenl the platform is restored to its horizontal position, as shown in Fig. l, sothat the sand will fallfoutside the pit, the open'eud of the box is so located that it will just clear the inside wall 'of the pit and is shown as having rollers 39 (Figs. and 5) projecting from opposite sides conveniently mounted on a fixed shaft or'bar 40 extending through the box. These rollers are adapted to strike the lower flanges of a pair of track members in the form of horizontal structural angles 4l secured above the upper edge of the pit wall and, as this end of the platform continues to rise, the rollers will ride along the track causing the box to rock on its hinge and,

consequently, shift its dumping end by reason of the pivotal connection below its bottom, and thus dump the sand down the outside inclined edge 42 of the pit wall, whereby it is prevented from falling back into the pit. If desired, the dumped sand may fall through a grating 43 ju'st'outside .the pit wall onto a sand belt conveyor 44 (Fig. 5) by which it maybe carried to the sand reconditioning zone of the plant for'further use. j However, the sand may be allowed to accumulate where dumped and may be removed'from timeto time by other means. 4 v

To prevent the dust arising from the pit from escaping into the plant, there is shown a pit cover 45 which is preferably made of sheet metal having one or more movable walls (Figs. l, 2 and 4). Herein, the coverhas a canvas side curtain wall 46 adapted to be opened to permit the core bars tobe removed. The end of the cover adjacent to the platform hinges is, of course, left open so. that the platform canl tilt, as shown in dotted lines inl Fig.

f l,without striking the pipes against the top wall. The other end wall has a small vopening 47 at the bottom through which ythe sand box isdumped (Fig.-2). ,Inasmuchas there is j no substantial opening through which dust can escape, practically all of it will remain in the pit. Moreover, it is exhausted from-,the pit through a suctionconduit 48 (Figs. l and 4) connected to-an exhaust fan l (not shown). f f Y After the core bars havebeen stripped frofmfthe pipes and the platform has returned to its horizontal position,- thefpipesmay be rolled downthe 'inclined'tracks 23 in the direction indicated bythe arrowyinFi-g. 6 to the `pipe rattlers( not shown) .l lThecore bars are removed', manually lor otherwise, andv rolled also lby gravity inthe opposite'dired tion along runway'tracks 49y preferably parallel with and inclined like kthe tracks 23 I where they-,rise to theyplatforni level.

rlhence, the core bars are transferred to the reconditioning zone of thefplant described in the aforesaid application. f

The general operation has been described above. It will be understood that two or more attendants lwill operate the apparatus and load and unload the pipes and core bars.

After the group of pipes is placed on the platj form, one of the operators willv open a valve to admit compressed air to the top of the cylinder 24 to force the piston downwardly, thereby tilting the platform until it strikes the stopv member 26 slightly arring the pipes so that the core bars and sand will fall out of the pipes through the' notches 22 in the angle member 21. Thecore bars will fall freely until they strike the abutment member which resiliently checks their movement whereupon an operator will open another valve to exhaust the air from the cylinders 33 in front of the pistons and permit the abutment to descend as slowly as desired into the pit to the end of its limit of travel. The sandwill fall in the sand box 36 and nearly-all the dust will be exhausted through the Vconduit 48. Then an operator will admit compressed air below the ypiston in cylinder 24 to restore the f platform to its level position, thereby dumping the sand box automatically. Then the attendants will roll off the pipes onthe in'- clined runway tracks 23, move'aside curtain 46, and r-oll the core bars down the tracks 49. From the foregoing description, it Iwill be seen that the apparatus is particularly advantageous in large capacity plants in' which long lengths of pipe and pipe of large diameter are made. Moreover, it is' capable of handling a group of pipes at one time, .therelby speeding up the separating'or stripping operation and increasing the plant capacity. Further, and perhaps most important, it eliminates the objectionable dust', Also there is a savingin labor and in floor space required for the operation, as compared with theold method. Y Y Obviously the present invention is not re'- stricted to the kparticular embodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover, it is not indispensable thatall the features ofthe'invention'be used conjointly, since they may be'employed advantageously in various combinations and sub-combinations. l I

What is claimed is p i. 1. Apparatus for'removing ccres'from 'cast iron. pipes comprising, incombin'ati'on, a tiltfv able platform; means on the platformtn rej ceive a pipe with a core'bar therein;-V means to tilt the platform to `an angular position in whichv the core bar will fall out of tliepi'pe; means engaging the end of'the'pipewhich is lowermost when the platform istilted to preizo vent downward movement ofthe pipe; a mov-f ableabutment on the platform against whichl v the core bar strikes upon falling; means per mitting' thel abutment to` descendtoa; point visc y platform to support a pipe so that, whenV the vend of the pipe with reference to the other and permit the core bar therein to move out of the pipe by gravity, and so as to restore the pipe and core bar to their original level; and a box at the end of the support which is lowered during the swinging forv receiving the sand.

3. Apparatus of the character described Y comprising, in combination, a tiltable sup.-

port 'for the pipe; power-actuated means for tilting the support so as to change the elevation of one end of the pipe with reference to the other and permit the core bar therein to move out of the pipe by gravity, and so as to restore the pipe and core bar to their originall level; a tiltable box at the end of the support which is lowered during the swinging for receiving the sand; and means so con` structed and arranged as to tilt the box to discharge its contents, when the support vis restored to its initial position.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a! tiltable support for the pipe; and power-actuated means for tilting the support so ras to change the elevation of one end of the pipe with re'ference to the other and permit the core bar therein to move out of the pipe by gravity,

and so as to restore the pipe and core bar to -their original level; and a ti table openended, core-sand-receiving box pivot'ed off center upon the support so that, when tilted, its open end moves forwardly and downwardly to discharge the sand.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a platform mounted see-saw fashion; a pit into which one end of the platform is adapted to be lowered; means on the other end of the platform to support a pipe so that, when the platform is tilted, the core bar may fall out by gravity; a tiltable core-sand-receiving box carried'by the platform and having an open end out of which the sand is adapted to be dumped, said box normally resting in a subc stantially horizontal position, when the platform is fully tilted; and means above the .upper 'edge of the pitto engage'the box and tilt it so that its Adumping side projects slightly over the edge of the pit when the platform is restored to substantially horizontal position.4 f

6. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a tiltable platform mountedV see-saw fashion; a'pit into Y which one end of the platform is adapted to be lowered; means on the other end of the platform is tilted, the core bar may fall out by gravity; a tiltable core-sand-receiving box Y upper edge o'f the pit wall; rollers on the oppositesides of the box; `and track means with which the rollers engage to tilt the box and dump the sand outside of the pit wall.

7. A device foi` removing cores from cast iron pipes comprising, in combination, a tiltable platform; means on the platform to rcceive a plurality of pipes including spaced notched members; the notched member nearest the tilting axis of the platform receiving the core bars projecting from the pipes so as to permit longitudinal movement of the core bars and providing a stop by which th-e bell ends of the pipes are supported when the platform is tilted; means to tilt the platform to such an angle as to break the adhesion of the core sand and permit the core bars and sand to fall out by gravity; means to control the separating movement of the core bars; and means vassociated with the platform to recover the core sand. y

8. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a tiltable platform having means at one side of its axis for receiving a cast iron pipe and core; means to tilt the platform to an angular position in `which the `core' elements will fall out; and

means carried upon the platform on the other side of the axis to recover the falling core sand.v n

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a tiltable platform, a scoop-like sand-box pivotally connected'to the platform to catch the falling core sand when the platform is tilted; and means engageable with said sandbox to tilt it and dump it automatically when Vthe platform is restored to its normal position.

l0. Apparatus ofthe character described comprising, in combination, a hingedrsupport for the pipe; ,powenactuated means for swinging thesupport on itsfhinges so as to lower one end of the pipe and permit the core bar therein' to move out of the pipe by gravity, and so asto restore the pipe and core bar to their original level; and runways extending in opposite directions from the hinged support and in parallel lines so that after separation'the pipe may move in one direction andthe core bars in another Without 4interference or laborious handling. 1l. A device vfor removing cores from cast iron pipes comprising, in combination, a tiltable platform'having a pipe support; pipe tracks leading to and from the platform; transverse notched flanges Von the' platform for receiving a group of pipes transferred from the tracks; the notches in the flange nearest the center of the platform adapted to receive the projecting bell ends of the core bars but being too small to permit the bell ends of the pipes to slide through them, whereby to permit the core bars and sand to fall out by gravity when the platform is tilted; and a trackway leading from the platform' at the other end over which the separated core bars may be rolled.

12. A device for removing cores from cast iron pipes comprising, in combination, a tiltable platform; means to hold the pipes against longitudinal movement onV one end of the platform; pipe tracks leading to and from the sides of the platform; said platform adapted to be tilted to eifect gravity separation of the core so that it will be transferred to the other end; and core bar tracks leading from one side of said end to which the core bar may be transferred for further operations.

13. In combination with a tilting platform of the class described, pipe tracks leading to and from the sides of lthe platform at one end and presenting a gap in which the platform works; and a core bar track leading from one side of the platform at the other end, said tracks being slightly inclined adj acent to the platform to provide for rolling the pipes and core bars by gravity.

14. A device for removing cores from cast iron pipes comprising, in combination, a platform pivoted near its center and having transverse notched flanges for receiving a group of pipes; the notches in the flange nearest the center of the platform adapted to receive the projecting bell ends of the core bars but being too small to permit the bell ends of the pipes to slide through them, whereby to hold the pipes immovable longitudinally and permit the core bars and sand to fall out by gravity when the platform is tilted.

15. Apparatus of the character described y comprising, in combination, a tiltable support for the ipe; a movable core bar abutment carried y the support; and fluid-pressure cylinders for controlling the abutment.

16. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a hinged support for the pipe; a fluid-pressure cylinder for swinging the support on its hinges so as to change the elevation of one end of the pipe relative to the other; a movable abutment carried by the support; and Huid-pressure cylinders for controlling the abutment.

17. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a tiltable support for the pipe having side channels; a movable abutment extending crosswise of the support and movable longitudinally thereof; and rollers supporting the abutment and traveling in the side channels. t

18. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in'combination, a tiltable support for the pipe having side channels a movable abutmentA extending crosswise of the support andmovable longitudinallythereof;

rollers supporting the abutment and traveling in the side channels; and a' Huid-pressureV cylinder for controlling the movement of the abutment along the support.

Y 19.y A'device for removing core bars from pipes comprising, in combinatiomfmovable supporting meansarranged to tilt a group of pip'esto such angular position as to cause tlieweight of the cores to break the adhesion of the core sandso that the cores and sand will fall out by gravity; and a movable core bar abutment associated with the supporting means to break the fall of the core bars.

20. Apparatus of the' character described comprising, in combination, a tiltable sup-` port for pipes and core bars;power means connected to tilt the support on an axis transverse to and beyond the inner ends of the pipes and core bars; means to hold the pipes against longitudinal movement when the support is tilted, said means permitting the core bars .and sand to slide'out of the pipes; and mleans .tolimit the extent to which they may ti t. n l

21. Apparatus for removing cores from pipes comprising, in combination, av tilting platform; means to holda pipe on one end againstV longitudinal movement; power means connected to tilt the Vplatform ;v and a limiting stop for the platform against which itis adapted to strikek and thereby jar the supported pipe so as tof break the adhesion of the core sand andpermit the core bar to fall out by gravity.

Y 22. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combinationpa-tiltable platform ,having provision on one end for receivingand;supporting a cast iron pipe; and means yto tilt the platform to an angular position in Lwhichvthe core elements will fall out.

23. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a movablesupport for the pipe; and power-actuated means for` moving the support so as to change the elevation of one end of thepipe relative to the other and permit the corev bar therein to move out of the pipe byf'gravity, and so 'as to restore the pipeand core-bar to their original level..

24. Apparatus of thek character described comprising, in combination, a hinged support for lthe pipe;l and` power means for swinging the support on its hinges so as to change the elevation of one end of the pipe relative to the other and permit the core bar therein to move out of the pipe by gravity, and so as to restore the pipe and core bar to their original level.

25. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a hinged support for the pipe; and power means for swinging the support on its hinges so as to change the yelevation of one end of the pipe relative to the other and permit the core bar therein to move out of the pipe by gravity, and so as to restore the pipe and core bar to their original level; said power means com'- prising a cylinder pivotally mounted lat one end and a piston rod projecting therefrom and pivotally connected to the platform; and a source of fluid under pressure for actuat- 10 ing the piston.

26. Apparatus ofthe character described comprising, in combination, a hinged support for the pipe; and a fluid-pressure cylinder for swinging the support on itshin'ges so as to change the elevation of one end of the pipe relative to the other. Y

27. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a platform Inovabl'e to elfect gravity separation ofc-ores and pipes; a pit for receiving one end of the platform; and a `dust-cover for closing the mouth of the pit. Y

28. Apparatus of the `character described comprising, in combination, a platform mov,-`

able to 'effect gravity separationof cores and pipesga pit for receiving one end ofk the platform; a dust cover substantially closing the mouth of the pit; and a suction conduit forv exhausting the dust from the pit.

3o 29. Apparatus of the character 'described comprising, in combination, a tiltable platform; a scoop-like sand box pivotally mounted 'onthe platform to catch the falling core sand when the platform is Itilted; and a baille secured to the platform and extending into the sand box so as to deflect the falling sand into said box.

30. Apparatus of the character described. comprising, in combi-nation, a tiltable plat- 40 form; a scoop-like sand box pivotally mounted on the platform to catch the falling core sand when the platform is tilted; means engageable with said sand box to tilt it and dum-p it automatically when the pla-tformcisv restored to its normal position; and a baflie secured to the platformr afndsextending into the sand box so as to deflect the falling sand into said box; said baliebeing so disposed that when the box tilts todump the sand, the

5 3 lower edge of thev baffle clears thebottom of the box to permit the sand to flow out freely.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature.

JAMES R. McWANE. 

